On March 24, 2009, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed House Bill 1091 that requires Carbon Monoxide detectors to be installed in most homes that are new or sold starting July 1, 2009. This legislation was brought on by two incidents that resulted in deaths. One was in Aspen, killing a vacationing family of 4 from Parker and the other killed a 23 year old Denver University student. Both of this homes did NOT have a carbon monoxide detector.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that cannot be smelled or seen and can be deadly within minutes of exposure. Due to the increased use of fuel burning appliances, most incidents occur during the winter months. Approximately 83% of Colorado single-family homes use gas, wood, kerosene, coal or fuel as their main heat source, all of which emit carbon monoxide.
Colorado House bill became effective on July 1, 2009 and pursuant to the “Bill Summary” states as follows:
“Requires any existing single-family dwelling or dwelling unit of an existing multi-family dwelling offered for sale or transfer on or after July 1, 2009, that has a fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage to have an operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within a specified distance of each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes.”
“Requires any single-family dwelling or dwelling unit of a multi-family dwelling for which a building permit is issued for new construction on or after July 1, 2009, that has a fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage to have an operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within a specified distance of each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes.”
“Sets forth the maintenance and installation requirements for carbon monoxide alarms in single-family dwellings and dwelling units in multi-family dwellings that are used for rental purposes.”
“Specifies that nothing in the act shall be construed to limit a municipality, city, home rule city, city and county, county, or other local governmental entity from adopting or enforcing more stringent requirements for the installation and maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms”
Establishes that any person who installs a carbon monoxide alarm according to the manufacturer’s published instructions shall have no liability to any person with respect to the operation, maintenance, or effectiveness of the carbon monoxide alarm.”
If you are not aware of this Colorado House Bill 09-1091, you will need to become familiar with the requirements. Also, take note of Section 10.8 of the Colorado Real Estate Sale Contract.
